Gophers Lose at Purdue, Fox Leads with 14

Minnesota ran into a hot-shooting Purdue team in the second half of the Big Ten contest at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette , Ind. , on Thursday, dropping a 56-43 decision to the Boilermakers. The Golden Gophers dropped to 13-6 overall and 5-3 in Conference play. Emily Fox was the only Gopher in double figures with 14 points.   Minnesota had a golden opportunity to take the lead into the half but Kiara Buford over-shot a wide-open break-away layup. It could be taken as a sign of things to come as the Gophers shooting carried their offensive struggles into the second half.   Purdue (13-6, 6-2) extended its 25-24 halftime to 42-31 in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Boilermakers found their rhythm in transition, running the court well and finding some layups hitting eight of their first 11 shots open a double-digit lead.   The Gophers, who had turned the ball over only four times in the first half to help overcome 32 percent shooting (8-25) contributed to the Purdue run with five turnovers while making just three of eight shots from the field in the decisive stretch.   Minnesota was unable to mount a solid rally. Fox scored on an under-hand lay-up with 1:57 remaining to bring the Gophers to within 51-40.After a timeout, the Gophers' defense was unable to come up with the big stop. A Brianna Mastey foul sent Jodi Howell to the free throw line and she hit both.   Buford hit a long three at the 1:11 mark to bring Minnesota to within 10 points at 53-43. The trey was the second of the half for the Gophers after making five in the first period.   Minnesota was forced to foul, but they only had three team fouls so precious seconds ran off as the Gophers fouled to get the Boilers to the line. Purdue fouled Lauren Mioton, who missed the first shot of the bonus. All-American Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton pulled down the rebound.   The Boilers were able to control the boards by a 35-22 margin. After scoring 32 points on offensive rebounds in their last two wins, Minnesota was limited to just three offensive rebounds. Ashley Ellis-Milan, the Gophers' top rebounder, pulled down just three boards in the game.   Minnesota shot 32 percent for the field for the game and finished with 12 turnovers.   Minnesota returns home on Sunday to host Northwestern in a 2 p.m. game in Williams Arena.   - UM -